Camera Accessory Mount With Latch Unlock and Low-Wear Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera technologies face issues with poor locking performance and stability due to small pin structures, leading to inconvenient operation and wear during electrical connection through rotational engagement.
Innovation Solution
A camera accessory system utilizing claws and a latch structure for secure mechanical locking, along with a contact holder and lifting member for stable electrical connection, minimizing wear and facilitating easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pin structure is used for locking between camera accessory and camera body, then locking function is achieved, but locking performance is poor and stability is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into multiple independent claws (first claws on camera body, second claws on accessory) that work together. Each claw can engage independently with the others, distributing the locking force and improving overall reliability without requiring a single large complex pin structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The second claws are designed to be inserted between the first claws during rotation, creating a nested engagement pattern. This allows multiple locking points to be achieved within the same spatial envelope, improving locking performance without increasing overall structure size.
2Ease of operation
If a button on camera body is used to release pin structure, then unlocking function is achieved, but operation is inconvenient requiring two hands
Solution Approach 1:
The latch structure on the accessory side automatically engages with the first claws when the accessory is rotated into the locked position. The accessory itself performs the locking action during its own installation rotation, eliminating the need for a separate button-pressing operation on the camera body.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the camera body control the locking mechanism through a button, the control function is inverted to the accessory side through the latch structure. The accessory now controls its own locking state through the latch, reversing who controls the locking mechanism.
3Reliability
If multiple contacts are arranged in circumferential distribution for electrical connection, then electrical communication is achieved, but frictional contact causes wear and false triggering during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The contact holder is designed to move axially in advance before electrical contact is needed. During the rotation process, the lifting member drives the contact holder axially to position the contacts properly, so that when electrical connection is required, the contacts are already in the correct position and avoid frictional wear during rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact holder is made movable in the axial direction rather than being fixed. It can dynamically adjust its position along the axial direction during the rotation process, allowing the contacts to engage smoothly without frictional wear and preventing false triggering caused by rigid contact during rotation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a camera accessory and camera system configured to be mounted to a camera body having a first mounting seat; the camera accessory comprises: an accessory housing; a second mounting seat, arranged at an end of the accessory housing, configured to snap-fitted to the first mounting seat; a latch structure, arranged on the second mounting seat, configured to engage with a structure on the first mounting seat to restrict rotation of the second mounting seat relative to the first mounting seat; an unlocking button, arranged on a side surface of the accessory housing, connected to the latch structure, for releasing the engagement between the latch structure and the first mounting seat. The present application provides an unlocking button on the camera accessory that allows the camera accessory to be detached while unlocking, thereby facilitating user operation.